Minor Illness

Fever is natural with many types of infective illness and may well be part of the way the body fights some infections. Even so, fever can be very unpleasant and patients often feel more comfortable if a fever is reduced. There are various types of thermometer available to help you know whether fever really is present.

The treatment of fever is usually best with either paracetamol or ibuprofen. These products are available over the counter and you should always follow the recommended doses. These are geenerally the cheapest and also the best medications to help fever and also pain eg sore throat.

Feverish illnesses in babies and toddlers are quite common and often will settle in a day or two. They are often caused by minor infections such as cold viruses. The fever itself does not usually cause harm (it is part of the body's way of dealing with the infection) but it can make the child feel miserable and unwell. Paracetamol or ibuprofen are usually the best medications to use if you want to reduce fever; always follow the doseage instructions carefully. Take some layers of clothing off to help the child reduce heat and also consider lowering room temperature.

When does the child need to see a doctor with a fever?

Look at your child and use common sense. Do they look exhausted or ill? Are they behaving differently? If the answer is yes, they may need to see a doctor. You should also consider seeing a doctor if:

• you have a young child, less than three months old, who runs a high fever.
  
  
• your child cries persistently and doesn't wake up easily or seems drowsy.
  
  
• your child has a temperature over 38ºC (101.3ºF) for more than three days.
  
  
• your child doesn't seem to be getting better as you would expect.
  
  

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms with a fever, see your doctor.

• Stiff neck.
  
  
• Affected by bright light.
  
  
• Hallucinations.
  
  
• Red rash or blue/purple dots or patches.
  
  
• Seems breathless.
  
  
• Continued vomiting or diarrhoea.
  
  

Colds are caused by viruses that infect the nasal passages leading to sneezing and runny nose. They also commonly cause sore throat, cough and sometimes fever and acheing in the muscles. The discharge from the nose is often clear to begin with but then may thicken or become yellow or green. Colds can be miserable but usually get better by themselves, often in a week although symptoms may drag on for 2-3 weeks or so. Simple remedies can soothe the symptoms but ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT HELP THE COMMON COLD.

Sore throat can be helped by taking paracetamol or ibuprofen - always take the correct dose for age group. A blocked up nose can be eased with steam inhalations or by use of a decongestant spray or tablet.

Most sore throats are caused by virus infections although some are caused by bacteria. The majority tend to last for about a week and get better by themselves. They are classified as either a generalised infection of the back of the throat (pharyngitis) or an infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis). Medical research suggests that in most cases antibiotics are not needed, they get better by themselves. Paracetamol or ibuprofen are usually the best things for pain relief.

Sometimes it is necessary to see the doctor, if the sore throat is particularly severe and there is difficulty swallowing or if it is associated with prolonged high fever or other symptoms.